It's Only an Hour

We went to the Christmas Devotional tonight.  Tracy announced we were leaving in about 15 minutes and anyone who wanted to go should be ready.  (After the fiasco we had a couple of years ago, our optional limit for this has weakened) Immediately we had a taker, Kestle'. Yeah, I think.  The rest of my children reverted into hermit crab mode.
Mom: Well, you have to wear a dress.
Kes:  OKAY! Can I wear the one I wore to church?
       (DANG! That didn't work)
We the proceeded to guilt a few others into coming with us. No nylons required and you can drive over on your own seconds before it starts.
Kes could not wait.  She was in her dress and in the car before anyone could talk her out of it.
She loved the count down until the broadcast starts.  Every 10 seconds, she would ask how much longer.  When the screen went black 30 seconds before it began, she asked with a shudder of excitement, "How much longer?"  I leaned over an told her after it started it would be about an hour. Her reply,"What the heck am I doing here then?" 

Choices

Today I dropped Kayson off at scouts and gave him the normal goodbye,"Have fun, be good and make good choices!"
He replied with a straight face, "Is cake a good choice?"
That boy makes me laugh!

We Are Still Here

Snow day #1 (Tuesday) was a wonderful, lazy day.
Snow day # 2 (Wednesday) was a little more active.  I was trying to clean the house for Thanksgiving and someone got the great idea that with all the kids home, we could easily put up Christmas decorations and get the boxes put away.  Yes I decorated for Christmas before Thanksgiving.  It was lovely!  Christmas on the walls and harvest on the tables.
Snow day # 3 (Monday)  was out of control.  After a week together, Kes was ready to send the kids to school and I must say I almost agreed with her.  We got our week long break for Thanksgiving but were tired of being couped up in the house. 
Creighton was ready to go to school on Tuesday, Nov 30.  His application for BYU was due on the 1st and the school had not sent his transcripts.
I am also bragging, he made the semi-finalists for the Coca-Cola scholarship.   The downside was the 3 essays.  He will find out more in February.  Every penny counts.

SNOW

It is all I can do to get my kids in bed tonight.  Snow is falling, there is a blizzard warning for tonight, the Idaho State Police have asked that schools cancel tomorrow and the remote thought that they may not have to go is killing them.  Kaia looks out side every 2 minutes for the update.  Tracy is still out on the wrecker.  But, honestly, I think Mom wants a snow day tomorrow worse than the kids.  There is nothing better than sleeping in and knowing you don't have anywhere to be because you CAN'T be there.  Here's hoping!

Kestle's Work update

Today, Tracy called and asked Kes if she wanted to haul tin.  For those of you who don't know what this is,  our kids go to the shop and load the tin, bent car parts on the wrecker.  They hate this part.  It is alot of work!  However, they then take it to the recycling place and have it weighed.  They pay by the pound and sometimes they can make some good money for the vacation fund.  When Kes got there, Tracy already had it loaded.  She has been to the shop quite a few afternoons lately.  One of the guys teased her about how her Dad never gave her a day off.  They dropped off the tin and came home after work.
Tonight, Kes told Cambree Dad had paid her because she never got any time off.  We laughed, thought it was cute. She then proceeded to pull out $65 out of her pocket!  Yep, Dad paid me

Kaia

Kaia got invited to a slumber party last Saturday night.  We don't do sleepovers but we let her have a late night.  She brought home loads of party favors but she has one favorite used constantly.

I sometimes wonder if she is really sleeping behind that mask!  She was sick yesterday but still wore it to sleep the day away.

Young Womanhood Recognition

Wednesday night, Cambree got her Young Womanhood Award.  It was so fun and exciting!

 She got four stickers and her Medallion.  Kennadee got one sticker.

 Candace, Cambree, friend and Kennadee.

Might I just say how much I love this girl!  She is an amazing young woman with so many fabulous qualities.  She bore a sweet testimony of the Book of Mormon.  She is such a good sister and example to everyone.  I don't know why Heavenly Father let me be her Mom but I am lucky to have someone so amazing to teach me!

Anyway, she made cute fall invites with laminated leaves.  Ken and I made "cake balls" (probably never to be repeated.  While we were with the girls Kayson was across the hall at Court of Honor receiving his First and Second Class scout.  Timing wasn't great because we missed that but we are proud of them both!

Last Thursday, The girls had their big Fall Dance Show.  It was fun.  Cambree and another dancer collided foot to hand.  Here are the results. . .

There were big tears but she danced on.

I probably should make this 2 posts because we have decided Cambree rarely makes the blog.  Either she is too busy, too quiet, never home, or extremely good at avoiding the camera.

She's Nuts

This and that

 Our stake did road shows.  Tracy took the three younger kids to watch.  The three big kids were supposed to be in them.  Creighton had a cross country meet and bailed.  Ken got out late from Clara rehearsal and missed them.  Cambree went and did a great job in the 2 minutes I saw of the show.

 I love this little girl!  Every morning, I wake up the big kids at 6:20 am then she and I snuggle til 6:30. 

 Creighton went to homecoming.  They went to Twin to the soccer game, lunch at Gertie's, then Roller skating.  That night, we fixed dinner here at our house.  They left for the dance about 8:45 and by 10 they were back to watch a movie on the wall. 

 I went to Couer d' Alene for state Jr. Miss (now Distinguished Young Woman of Idaho).  This is Kes's Daddy hair do. 

 Kennadee's school had crazy hair day.  each pony has 4 braids with wires in them. She dressed up all week.
This was a repeat hair do from Cambree and of course I can't find her picture.

 Tracy drove Ken and Cambree to Utah so Kennadee could practice with the Cavalier (male dancer that Clara Dances with) while I was gone.  The rehearsal went amazing. . .until he realized he was double booked and is under contract with Oddessy so. . .we went again this week to dance with the "NEW" cavalier.  He's cute according to Ken and was so good with her.  She is getting so excited for Nutcracker.

I don't usually brag but . . .
I have been the Chairman for Mini-Cassia's Jr Miss for the last 3 years ( I am turning it over this year to my friends).  While we were at the Chairman meeting, I was talking to another lady as they started to give out awards for the year.  I told her how we would never win one and then started to listen to what was being said.  it sounded a lot like my program this year.  We won "Program of the Year" for Idaho.  What a way to go out!  Everything went flawless this year but I think the real reason we won is because of the caliber of girls and the support of the community.  If you were there when the spirit award was announced you know what I mean.
Here is my other story from there. Friday night after the show, I looked over and saw what I thought to be a familiar face.  It wasn't until she walked by that I knew it was Kristin Pinegar King.  She was a friend that danced with me at BYU um, well, 20 years ago. We toured Canada and Europe together.  I haven't seen her since.  Her niece was one of the participants and she had flown in from California.  She is one of the most amazing people I have ever met.  After a minute or two, I remembered why she touched my life and made me a better person.  I hope to be able, someday, to be a little more like her.  Anyway, it was amazing!  We visited that night, the next morning at breakfast, and after the show on Saturday.  What a small world!

Halloween 2010

Our ward, the other ward in our building and the spanish branch had a trunk or treat.  We made cotton candy in a trailer because it rained the entire night. (Not all bad because after the trunk or treat no one wanted to go to any more houses.

 Cambree just threw something together.  Her job was to watch all smaller children while we sugared up the kids.

 Kayson didn't know what to be so he was a sand traveler.  His new favorite movie is Prince of Persia.

 Kes says, "Brother Hill really loaded me up."  She had 18 packs of whoppers when she got home.  Makes you wonder how many she ate before that???

Creighton got home late from State Cross Country.  Put it this way, he had alot of fun!

Kaia and her friend wanted to be Salt and Pepper!
We have no pictures of Kennadee but she was there.

Remember She's 5

Me: So what do you want for Christams, Kes?
Kes: A Hello Kitty alarm clock from Costco.
Me: I don't know if Santa shops at Costco.
Kes:  Well, you do and you're Santa, so figure that one out lady!

I guess we are at the end of Believing!

Welcome to the Workforce

I was out of town this weekend (hopefully more later) and Kes was out of school.  Thursday she went to work with her Dad.  He handed her a bunch of tools and a measuring tape and she "worked" all day.  She recently announced that she is quitting Kindergarten ad getting a job. "It's way more fun!"  Now you see what I have to look forward to for only the next 12 years!

Uniforms

Creighton wants everyone to know they got new uniforms that are soooo much better!

(The shorts are still short!)

General Conference

As I said earlier, we took the whole family and went to conference.  Who doesn't like to stay and swim in the Marriott?  However, 8 people in one room usually makes for alot of chaos.  We did better this time (maybe it was that everyone except Kes and I went to conference).  We had a great time,morning session, swim, afternoon session, swim (girls and Kays keep swimming), priesthood session, Chuck-a-rama (not my favorite but a highlight for those who eat all the time.  Tracy had tickets for Sat. and Sun. morning.  Cambree (with those big, beautiful eyes) rounded up tickets for Sat. afternoon and we held everyone hostage in the car for Sunday afternoon as we drove home (Do you learn anything when you are snoring?)

Notice how well Kaia's hair grows!  It grew 18 in during the Saturday afternoon session.  Amazing! The little girl she played with in the pool in the morning didn't know who she was by 4 that afternoon.

Kennadee the Cheerleader

Kennadee is an 8th grade cheerleader this year and loves it!  A friend of mine sent a few pictures (I never have a camera).

Ride Home From Conference

We went to General Conference this weekend.  Coming home, there was no water in the car so we stopped at the Juniper Rest stop.
Kestle':  So who got arrested?
Mom: What are you talking about?
Kestle':  Well, We're at the "arrest stop." So who got arrested?
Ahhh! We love her!

The Rest of the Nutcracker Cast

This year all four girls will be in the Nutcracker. Kestle' is a mouse (she would rather be a rat), Kaia is a soldier (they fight with the mice just like at home ironic) and a gingerbread cookie (she will be the burnt cookie), and Cambree is in Snow, Flowers (with a teeny tiny solo part called a dewdrop), Arabian (new to us) and the doll on Saturday matinee (she says everyone should come then).  Kennadee is just excited and still bouncing off the walls.  We can hardly wait for Dec 10 and 11.  Plan to come!

PE

Kestle':  Today in PE we learned how to throw a frisbee. (pause)  I already knew how. (longer pause) I Just didn't want to hurt my teachers feelings.

Nutcracker 2010

We love Nutcracker at Christmas time.  It is a tradition that we have embraced and enjoyed for the past 11 years when Cambree was a mouse.  This year as auditions rolled around Kennadee was a little nervous.  This could be a big year.  Clara is the star of the show and Ken, along with quite a few others, were hoping for the opportunity.

This year's Clara is...

KENNADEE Clara 2010
 We are so excited!!! Plan on coming December 10th or 11th!

Kennadee and Cambree(Clara 2008)
(Her big sister had tears in her eyes)

Ken and Jennifer

Everyone else will find out later in the week.  We will keep you posted!

Creighton

Creighton has had a fun summer.  He loved his job of moving pipe.  Every 17 year-old wants to wake up at 5 am all summer and work until 8 pm at night. (Of course, there was a break in the middle of the day which Dad filled with free shop labor.) It soooo helps in the social life.

Sadly, it has come to and end, but don't worry too long because he really does like to run cross country at 6:30 am.  Who knew. 

August Flew By

Where the heck did August go?  I am just asking because it is gone and we have little to show but a few pictures. 
Cambree passed her driving test and is officially a driver.  That night her Dad asked her to run him to the shop to get his pickup.  She quickly replied that she hates driving alone but if she has to they were taking the jeep.  He said he thought she would like to take her car. . .

There was even a cell phone on the seat.

Next, we enjoyed the fair.  We love pigs, sheep, cows, horses, bunnies, and even ugly turkeys.  Even more, we love

MAPLE BARS!!!!

The parade was fun.  We actually sat in the shade.  Ken was with the cheerleaders.

Creighton was the driver for the JR Miss Girls (stinks to have to drive cute girls in the parade)

Don't you love the crazy hand!

Everyone else just enjoyed the parade!

Tracy and Creighton flew to Bristol TN for the NASCAR Race and missed the end of the fair but had the time of their lives.

Kyle Busch doing burn out after his three race sweep.  A first in NASCAR history!!

School has now started. I think Creighton(SR) and Kestle'(Kindergarten) were excited.  Everyone else thought ond day with friends and then a couple more weeks off would be great.  Could someone suggest that to the school board?  We still went back even if Mom was rebelling Everyone likes it except homework.  (Mom included)

Kayson thinks Cr8 is checking him for lunch money!

Creighton is a SENIOR!

Cambree is a sophomore.

Kennadee is in 8th grade.

Kayson is in 6th grade.

Kaia is in 3rd grade.

Kestle' is in Kindergarten.

The week before school started, I had the flu so Tracy and the kids went to the ward campout at Nat Soo Pah.  They had a great time swimming, playing, sleeping and swimming some more.  Kes made a new friend with a dead mouse she showed the whole camp.

Everyone was freaking out but it was okay, " They think I'm gross, but I have a leaf between it and my fingers."  We love her!